Tree-loving artist who got Amy’s hair right

ARTIST Dan Llywelyn Hall took a break from the frontline of a campaign to save trees in Sheffield to bring his work to London Art Fair in Angel this week.

The Cardiff-born artist, who was once commissioned to paint the Queen, spent last summer with conservationists battling to save about 500 trees earmarked for destruction by Sheffield City Council. Mr Hall’s contribution to the campaign was to create individual paintings of a line of trees which were originally planted to commemorate those who died in the World War I.

“I just think as a resource we need to be less cavalier about trees,” he said. “We need more and more as the population increases.”

Mr Hall, whose portrait of the country’s then last living World War I veteran was hung in the National Portrait Gallery, added: “Trees are beautiful things. They are functional and we need to make a response to them being removed.”

David Bowie

He has brought to the art fair his portrait of Amy Winehouse, painted after a chance encounter with the singer at her favourite local, The Hawley Arms in Camden Town, back in 2009.

He said: “She said to me: ‘As long as you get the hair right you can do it.’ She had an absolutely finely-crafted beehive.”

But he never got to see her again as her health deteriorated and she went on holiday.

The piece, which has never been exhibited before, is based on the short encounter. It is for sale for £24,000.

Another portrait of singer David Bowie, painted after his death, has a price tag of £14,000.

“I’ve had some interest so far,” said Mr Hall.

The London Art Fair runs until Sunday at the Business Design Centre in Angel.